Do you need a copy of your PA driving record?
Do you not know where or how to get one?
You’ve come to the right place.
Here, we’re going to show you how to get a Pennsylvania driving record.
We’ll list down the steps of all the methods available to you.
What’s more, we’ll look at:
- The different types of driving records
- Ways to improve your record
- A crash course on the PA point system
So let’s dive right in!
Types of Driving Records in Pennsylvania
First things first, let’s see what type of record you need.
In Pennsylvania, there are 5 types.
Here’s a rundown of the different driving record types you can request:
- Basic Information: Only shows your personal details (name, birthdate, address, and driver’s license class). You must get a different document if you want to see your violations.
- 3-Year Record: Provides all the information stated above, plus departmental actions and violations. As the name implies, this only covers the last 3 years from the date of request. It is a non-certified copy and costs $12.
- 10-Year Record: Instead of the last 3 years of information, this shows information up to 10 years. You typically only use this driving record for employment purposes. Again, it’s a non-certified copy and will cost $12.
- Full History: Unlike the previous records, this one shows all your information since you received your driver’s license. This is still a non-certified copy that will cost $12.
- Certified Record: Like your full history, it shows all the information Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation has on file. Being certified indicates they’ve reviewed the accuracy of your details. This record is usually for official purposes, such as courts, government agencies, or insurance offices. It will cost $38.
How to Get My Driving Record in Pennsylvania
Now that you know what record to get, let’s explore the different ways to get it.
You can request your Pennsylvania driving record in 3 ways:
- Online
- In Person
- By Mail
Let’s see what each one involves.
How to Get Your PA Driving Record Online
Yes, requesting online is certainly the most convenient way.
However, you cannot use this method if you need a certified record. You have to either do mail-in or in-person requests for that.
But if you’re getting a non-certified copy, then here are the steps to make an online request:
- Go to Pennsylvania DOT’s page for Individual Driver Records.
- Read the agreement information and see if you can fulfill it all.
- Log in by providing the following information:
- Your driver’s license number
- Your birth date
- The last four digits of your Social Security Number
- Follow the prompts on the screen.
- Pay the $12 fee.
- View your driving record. If you need to submit it somewhere, you need to print it.
It’s as easy as that!
How to Get Your PA Driving Record In Person
If you need a certified copy of your driving record, you’ll have to visit an Online Messenger (OLM) center.
Don’t worry — although you may have to spend more time on it, the process isn’t complicated.
Here’s what you have to do:
- Download a copy of the Request for Driver Information form (DL-503). You can find the form here.
- Fill out the appropriate sections in the form.
| NOTE: If you’re requesting your own records, you only need to complete sections A and C. However, if you’re requesting someone else’s record, ensure that you fill out sections A, C, and D. Section E has the record owner’s details if you chose any of the following reasons in Section D: Driver release Employment Attorney |
- Decide which OLM center you want to visit.
- While there, present the DL-503 form, a valid ID, and a credit/debit card payment of $38 (for certified) or $12 (for non-certified).
- Get your driving record.
That wasn’t so bad, right?
How to Get Your PA Driving Record By Mail
If you need a certified driving record and aren’t in a rush, then you can take advantage of mail-in requests.
Just remember that this takes more time than any other method.
If that’s not a problem, here’s how to request by mail:
- Complete the DL-503 Form (Request for Driver Information). Read the form carefully to know what to fill out.
- Enclose a check or money order payable to PennDOT with the appropriate fee:
- Non-Certified Driving Records (basic information, 3-year, 10-year, and full driving histories) – $12
- Certified Driving Record (full driving history) – $38
- Send everything to the address below:
Bureau of Driver Licensing
Driver Record Services
P.O. BOX 68695
Harrisburg, PA 17106-8695
| NOTE: For overnight or other special mail, send it to this address instead: Bureau of Driver Licensing Driver Record Services 1101 South Front Street, 3rd Floor Harrisburg, PA 17106-8695 |
- Wait for your driving record to arrive in the mail.
And that are all the ways you can get ahold of your PA driving record.
How to Improve Your Pennsylvania Driving Record
A thing to watch out for on your driving record is how many points you have on your license.
Too many points may cause you to lose your driving privileges (more about this in the section below).
So how can you prevent that from happening?
Here are several ways to improve your driving record:
- Avoid additional traffic violations. Pennsylvania deducts 3 points from your license for every 12 incident-free consecutive months.
- Complete a defensive driving course. Although it won’t reduce points already on your license, it can convince the court to dismiss a new ticket or citation.
- Obey traffic signs, signals, and road rules. Disobeying these may lead to a citation, and a conviction adds points to your license.
- Comply with the DOT’s recommendation. Once you have 6 points, courts may ask you to take a driver’s exam instead of suspending your license. Once you fulfill it, they’ll remove 2 points.
- Be familiar with Pennsylvania’s point system. Knowing which violations add points to your license can make you more mindful when you’re behind the wheel.
Understanding the Pennsylvania Point System
Speaking of the Pennsylvania point system, let’s break it down for you.
Here is a list of traffic violations and their corresponding points.
| 2 Points | 3 Points | 4 Points | 5 Points |
| Violation of driver’s license restrictions Disobeying a law enforcement officer directing traffic OR a traffic control device Failing to observe road rules when sharing the road with emergency or disabled vehicles Exceeding the posted speed limit by 6 to 10 mph Failure to yield the right of way to a pedestrian on a crosswalk | Failing to stop for a red signal (whether flashing or steady) Failing to yield the right of way to an oncoming vehicle Improper passing Tailgating Exceeding the posted speed limit by 11 to 15 mph Exceeding the speed limit in a school zone Not yielding to blind pedestrians Improper backing Careless driving | Improper passing on a hill Disobeying a Stop or Yield sign Failing to stop at a railroad crossing Exceeding the posted speed limit by 16 to 25 mph Leaving the scene of an accident after causing property damage | Failing to stop for a school bus with flashing lights Exceeding the posted speed limit by more than 25 mph |
Remember, accumulating 6 points on your record may result in the following:
| Accumulation | Consequences | Point Reduction |
| First | Special written examination | 2 |
| Second | A Departmental Hearing, wherein any of the following may be recommended: 15-Day License Suspension Driver to Take a Special On-Road Driver’s Examination Driver to Attend PennDOT’s Driver Improvement School Take No Action | 2 (after a licenses suspension or exam) |
| Subsequent | A Departmental Hearing, wherein a 30-day license suspension may be recommended | N/A |
Exceeding the allowable speed limit by 31 mph or more results in a Departmental hearing, which may lead to any of the following:
- 15-Day License Suspension (5 points are removed from your license once fulfilled)
- Special On-Road Driver’s Examination
- Attend PennDOT’s Driver Improvement School
If you DON’T attend a hearing, you’ll automatically lose your driving privileges for 60 days.
If you have 11 points or more on your license, the DOT suspends your license.
- First Suspension: 5 days per point
- Second Suspension: 10 days per point
- Third Suspension: 15 days per point
- Subsequent Suspensions: One year
Conclusion
And there you have it — how to get a Pennsylvania driving record.
You now know what type of driving record type you need.
Where to request that record.
And how to do it.
Besides that, you also know how to improve your driving record if it’s less than ideal.
Finally, being familiar with Pennsylvania’s point system can go a long way to help you maintain a good driving record.